Work begins on restoration of Fort Needham Memorial Park

With the upcoming 100th anniversary of the Halifax Explosion, the municipality, with support from Canadian Heritage, will be enriching the cultural significance and improving the facilities within one of north end Halifax’s largest public open spaces.

Fort Needham is a memorial park established by the Halifax Relief Commission to remember the victims of the 1917 Halifax Explosion. It was deeded to the former City of Halifax in the 1950s to be forever used as a public park.

Work over the next several months will include landscaping around the Halifax Explosion Memorial Bell Tower with a new plaza for the annual ceremonies, a new staircase commemorating the lost community of Richmond, an enhanced natural children’s playground, and improvement to the park entrances, main pathways, and lighting.

It should be noted the off leash dog section of the park will remain open during the various construction phases. There will be fencing separating the work areas from the accessible areas.

The playground will be removed over the next few weeks, so users are encouraged to use the one near Devonshire Arena.

Work will start on the south end of the park, so access on Needham Street will be temporarily closed. Users are encouraged to use the entrance on Union Street. Pedestrian traffic will be maintained during construction, and the contractor will have signs at the entrances to guide park users.